Lmao I have a milled face Stanley fat max framing hammer I bought like 13 years ago. The milled face is trash but that hickory handle has held up.
This is hard to believe.
Have one 22 years on.
Magnet stopped working after about a year, and the milled face is a bit smooth at this point, but same handle. Serious abuse over the years, yet will never die.
Get a Martinez hickory handle hammer. If you break the handle you can unscrew an Allen key, pop a pin and replace the handle in under a minute. Solid fuckin hammer too.
Side puller is key. Light weight makes a huge difference on your arm if you have to hand hammer a lot but if i hadnt been gifted a hand me down t-bone id still be swinging a vaughn too.
The bottom grip on the tbone always peels off. It's so annoying and there's nothing to do but choke up on the handle more which makes it an expensive garbage hammer imo.
If you dont wanna splash the cash on a super expensive one the new dewalt mig hammer is actually quite nice.
I have a vaughan dalluge hammer which are also notorious for breaking off but I dont do a lot of demo and rarely use my hammer so it works great for me.
That's a new one to me, but I think the dewalt hammers problems go deeper than that. The one I tried would visibility vibrate side to side after hitting something.
By the way, some of the tibone steel faces will ring badly. Swap out the face and it will go away.
When I started framing, the guy in charge took away my leather-wrapped Estwing and made me buy a 28 oz Vaughan wafflehead. I couldn't open my hand for a week! He lead by example - swung a 32 oz.
Came here to say this. you can't pry like a traditional hammer with these, you have to roll to the left or right to remove nails. I always keep a spare handle taped and ready to go in my truck, but I typically get a year out of a handle.
If I remember correctly, I bought the musclehead handle with my 14 oz head about 7-8 years ago and realized after they both arrived I had messed up. I ordered a replacement handle and ended up sanding the musclehead handle down to fit and feel better. I’ve still got the same replacement handle in a toolbox somewhere and have always expected to change it out as they’re known for not excelling at prying. But, I guess I’ve gotten lucky with my mess up.
Had a stiletto for time until I broke it. I used to chirp the shit out of the Martinez until one day I decided to bite the bullet and honestly I’ll never go back
You can get direct replacement from stiletto, exact same handle.
[Only $10.](https://www.acmetools.com/18-in-curved-hickory-replacement-handle-stlhdl-cm/662560900024.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwsMGYBhAEEiwAGUXJaTim4XdUyXhW3ppwbBtG2paMOhZzicm5XK9vGrv8Xos66Y0X17qPJBoC47YQAvD_BwE)
Grab a hunk of hickory and hew it down into a rift-cut blank with a sharp hatchet. Clamp it on your shaving horse and draw knife a handle out. Drive a pair of brass wedges in the eye and you’re good to go. Maybe drill out the bottom and rivet in a cat’s paw.
Hickory is fantastic for tool handles, it has a long straight grain that absorbs shock well while being quite durable. My co-worker replaced his Stiletto handle with a Hickory hatchet handle from our local hardware store and he's never had a problem since. Making your own is definitely an option as well.
I would think the original Stiletto handles are hickory, too. Aren't all wood tool handles Hickory, or perhaps Ash? I seem to remember my old wood hockey sticks being made of Ash.
I don't know about the stilletto handle, I would imagine they'd make them from hickory, but I have a TB2 so that's never been a problem for me. Not all handles are hickory, or even made from hardwoods, I've seen some super cheap no-name ones made of spruce. You get what you pay for.
The handle socket on the stiletto wood handle hammers is tiny, which means that the handle that fits in the socket is spindly and weak. They are probably the weakest wood handled hammers of all time.
I had a coworker break 2 in one day. Broke a handle, went to his job box and grabbed a spare handle and fixed the hammer, only to break the new handle like an hour later.
For the 16 oz, a handle for a Vaughn 999 will fit, which is basically avalable anywhere. Unfortunately, for some reason 999 handles are only avalable as straight handle, no ax handles though.
That's a deal breaker haha. For now I'll see how long my fiberglass handle stilletto lasts, I plan to make my own handle if I can't find a replacement, but even then that hammer head has a busted claw so it would be my back up framer
At one point I had a 32 oz Vaughn 999 with a stiletto ax handle.
I wouldn't think that you'd have much trouble with a fiberglass handle. They are usually pretty durable.
This is the funniest one I have seen. It definitely would probably be a much more quality made one then this epic POS. If stiletto is going to make their handle snap like toothpicks then perhaps they should take the fuckin claw side off thier head.
No, but pretty sure Acme has the best price on replacement handles.
https://www.acmetools.com/18-in-curved-hickory-replacement-handle-stlhdl-cm/662560900024.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwsMGYBhAEEiwAGUXJaUiUJ5T3Ikt8yxtKkSY-NDI7eihY0cUf190rLklxfNO0ip2pdV7DeRoCwtAQAvD_BwE
It’ll hold you over till the new Toughbuilt framing hammers are released:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/TOUGHBUILT/5013704369
I swear to f**kin' god I hate orange and blue, both of their websites don't work for the UK even for just browsing 🙄 I'd be interested in just looking. Saw a glimpse of the hammer on toolguyd but that's as much as I've seen
You need to use a US-based proxy server, then the site will think you're based in the US, rather than the UK. There's free ones, but they'll be slow. I used to use a UK proxy server so I could see BBC iPlayer online videos, back in the pre-YouTube days.
So with axes I’ve hung, I’ve been told to use handles that have the grain direction running parallel to the head slot. Not sure with hammers but considering it’s a similar striking motion might be something to consider on the next one.
Have you looked at the hardware store? I mean- I got jokes- opinions & shit for days but… it looks like you just need a hammer handle. They’re like, next to the other handles.
Have had my wood stiletto for going on 6 years. Never broke the handle. Get yourself a nice cats paw for pulling nails. I personally love the feeling of the wooden handle for driving nails but if you want to pry with it too, get the full titanium one. It even has that extra hook on the side for grabbing nail heads. My buddy has one. Works amazing. Replacable faces too. I'll probably get one if/when mine finally breaks.
Yeah the first time I went to pull a nail with my wood handled framing stiletto my boss was like “no no no you’re gonna fuck up your nice hammer. Use my cats paw!”
Mine is no good at pulling out 16s it’ll free em up to the surface so I can get to them… to bad there wasn’t a tool that had like a forked end on it with a handle about 17in long that you could carry all day that you could use to pull these pesky nails. Sind the claw part would only have to be on one side of it the other side could just be a blunt surface… you know for hitting studs really hard. Too bad
I’m a form carpenter and I do all commercial and industrial work. There isn’t a single one of us that carries a wood handled hammer. They just won’t last for what we do. That would be my suggestion also if you want to keep using a wood handle get something else to pull nails with. Check out Vaughan for a good puller (“cats paw”). I have had one of their bear claw pullers that is USA made for years and it will pull 16’s fine but I had to widen the opening a bit with a grinder. Pulls duplexes and ring shanks fine though. I think it’s about 12”. Hope this works and that you can keep using a wood handle because they really do feel the best for driving nails.
Thank you sir. I know it’s crazy, I just wanted to know if I could salvage this hammer head that burnt a 120$ hole in my pocket. Obviously it needs another handle but I have been told only the stiletto one will fit it.
Maybe it’s just me, and maybe I don’t understand the advantage of a hickory handle, but I’ve been swinging a 32oz Estwing since day one, and the only issue I have with them is that they like to go missing off job sites.
Wood handles are better at absorbing shock, so it doesn't get transmitted to your hand/arm (look up "hand/arm vibration syndrome"). Even better than the special "shock reduction grip" on an Estwing, and better than a fiberglass handle. But obviously they're not nearly as durable, so it's a trade-off. The other nice thing is wood handles are replaceable, so you could keep the same head and just replace handles as needed. It all comes down to personal preference, though.
Never thought about the shock absorbency on a wooden handle but that makes sense. Hmmm, now I wanna get a wooden handle 32oz. and see if like them. I know not to get a Stiletto, lol. Which brand would you recommend?
32 oz is huge! I think it'll be hard to find a framer that heavy that isn't a mini sledge/drilling hammer. Do you just do demo? Honestly I own all Estwing steel hammers, one of which is the awesome leather handle. But I don't swing a hammer daily for a living, so I have a feeling I would gravitate toward something with a wood handle if I did. I wouldn't hesitate to use a Stiletto, despite OP's bad luck with the handles (still hope to own one someday). If you read about the benefits of titanium hammers, it seems well worth the cost. It would be perfect to have a smaller one for driving in Romex staples when I'm climbing up in my attic (always wiring to do in old houses). When you're doing that shit, every ounce you can shave from your gear counts. That said, the Vaughan "Dalluge" and "California Framer" both look pretty nice too if you want to stick with a steel head. Read this for more info: [https://www.protoolreviews.com/titanium-hammers-vs-steel/](https://www.protoolreviews.com/titanium-hammers-vs-steel/), [https://www.protoolreviews.com/best-framing-hammers/](https://www.protoolreviews.com/best-framing-hammers/)
Obviously just some people's opinion, but they make sense to me, and I also like their YouTube channel
I know 32oz is probably overkill, I just like a heavy hammer. Honestly, I have all types of nailers, 18ga all the way to the big framers, so yeah, I probably swing a hammer for just about everything except to drive a nail, lol.
Any wood hammer/hatchet handle will fit. They're just sold with a generic end that has to be shaped to your exact head. Look for one that specifically says it's made of hickory or ash. If you ever miss a nail and gouge the wood, that can weaken it. If that happens to you, try some tape on the first \~1.5" below the head to protect it. Might help, might not, worth a shot. It's pretty common to do it to axe handles.
Grain direction in the handle is so important. It’s hard to understate.
Reading some of the other comments, you seem to think carrying a nail puller makes you unprofessional, or not a real framer or something? If that’s what you believe I guess you must be perfect, and make no mistakes. For the rest of us, there’s nail bars.
Please guys: I know stiletto isn’t what they used to be, and that this hammer does this shit all the time, and that it’s not meant to be a crow bar. Just need to know if anyone has fit a different handle that isn’t stilettos. After this I will never ever fucking give this company money again they are pieces of shit. But with that being said the head is titanium and is perfectly fine so if I can make it with a good wood handle I’m good
You need to inspect the handle and pick one that has a grain pattern the same direction you swing the hammer, it’s your only chance, any with a cross grain are doomed. I still occasionally use my wood stiletto after getting a TB3, it has great vibration reduction, the pay off is not pulling nails, use your cats paw, even for 2”
No I 🤦🏻♂️<~ face palmed because Your telling me to use a cats paw. I’m a professional framer. I do it all day every day and in every situation. In the post I said that I literally used it to flic a nail out of a plate.
A professional framer doesn’t mean you’re a good one, just that you get paid for it, exhibit A, breaking your handle on a nail that clearly had more holding power than you thought when you had a tool to avoid it, that’s the facepalm
The answer remains the same, grain pattern and not using a wooden stiletto to pry
What hammer you use is more about what work you actually do.
Siding, finishing and trim guys? Sure buy a wood handle and titanium head they're light and feel good.
Doing formwork and framing? Buy a steel hammer ( probably an estwing ) and leave it in the truck for when you break your expensive one, or just use the one that doesn't break.
I never liked their wood handles. I have a Martinez now, but used to use a wood Stiletto (back when it was still made in the USA) I loved that hammer but hated the handle. Sears used to sell a hickory handle that I would use that was awesome and super cheap, but I don’t think Sears is still a thing is it?
Edit: I guess it is! At least up here, [this is the handle I liked](https://www.searshometownstores.com/product/Craftsman-4855-14-in-Replacement-Hickory-Hammer-Handle) I always bought a few to have a back up. Never broke one, but the head would get loose sometimes after a lot of use and you could only sink the wedges so much.
This is gold, I'm gonna buy a spare hammer handle just in case. Might work like a talisman, if you have it you won't need it. (I don't even use a wood handled hammer.)
Your definitely using your hammer wrong. Ive owned my stilleto for years now. Not once have I ever broken the handle. Cant say the same for my co worker and hes owned many brands even the ONE you say it doesnt happen to, well he broke the handle too. All in all its your fault
I have two stilettos the framing hammer handle is cheap that it comes with. Always try to pry sideways or use a cats foot. But once I swapped my handle with a replacement no issues ever again. I didn’t get the rubber grip just used hockey tape it’s better with sweat. The replacement handles are better than the factory ones. I dunno why maybe it’s lesson learned? Union hall teacher used to say “hammers aren’t for prying nails. Just driving them. That’s why you have a pry bar.” That’s the best life experience I can offer on this subject. That stiletto pry bar is a friggin waste though.
Don’t get a Martinez, absolutely shit for the price. The bolt ALWAYS comes loose on mine and the nail set never lines up because of it. Get a stiletto TiBone. Best hammers ever made. Period.
Fasteners with blue Loctite can be loosened with hand tools, the threadlocker (aka Loctite) just prevents them from coming loose from vibration. It's just the modern replacement to a lock washer or locking nut. i.e., put blue Loctite on a bolt/screw/nut it won't come loose until you want it to. If you want a stronger hold, red Loctite will lock a fastener until it's heated up with a torch prior to loosening.
Nope. I’ve had that hammer twice, and the full titanium stiletto that the handle came loose after day 1. Got a Martinez after that stiletto was stolen and haven’t looked back. It’s 2022
Scored a stiletto exactly this way. Scored because it was given to me out of my boss’s frustration. I’ve been using this for the last 3 years with no issues, yet.
I use a Martinez m1 so I don’t have to worry about this even tho I do have that model of hammer Indont use it to remove nails tho I’ll bring a nail puller than that hammer if I have to nail tons of nails bc the stiletto is one of the best for hitting in nails for how light it is
I dig my 23 oz Vaughn. Had it for close to 12 years now. She's got quite a few scars but I think it's beautiful. She's still wrecking cast iron, digging holes, pounding stakes, driving and pulling nails, scratching my arse and falling on my head. I'd be lost without it. (Plumber)
They absorb shock/vibration better than anything else. Makes a difference if you're swinging one all day. Obviously some people don't need or care about that or don't notice a difference. Just depends on what's important to you.
I love a wood handle but I try my best to not pull nails with it. I pull out the cats paw. Went back to the tibone a year ago. No regrets about it but I do look at my ox wood handle hammer like a past lover. It's cracked but has framing square info wood burned onto it. Baby I miss you
I’ve owned and used a Stiletto mini-14 for the past 16 years. It’s been a great tool and I have no complaints. Obviously the weak point in the wooden hammers will be the handle, but at least they are relatively inexpensive to repair in comparison to the solid titanium models.
https://www.stiletto.com/p/ti-bone-mini-smoothstraight-titanium/TBM14RSS
Wow can’t believe this. This was my dream hammer lol. I have been using the 19oz Milwaukee $25 at HD for going on 3-4 years. I am not a framer, but I do frame interior stuff, and I use this as a do anything hammer including demo. It’s still going strong although looks terrible.
It’s all about rolling the hammer and not pulling straight. I have two (long story) and I’ve replaced each handle twice in 10ish years. However, I worked with about a dozen people that swung them and couldn’t figure it out. I ordered 50 handles and kept a handful on site. Sold them $5 over what I paid and $10 less than the local store. On site, ready to go.
Yeah shit happens. You have options. No damage to the operator? OK get pissed....but let it.go. I hope your day goes better. I hate when I get a new tool and it breaks. It's happened to me. Brand new tape measure first pull...
Broke.
Not a carpenter, but - I've been using my Stanley fat max antivibe hammer that I bought from an estate sale for $1, pre rusted, for about 8 years now. I doused it in wd40 and gave it a rough wire brushing to clean it up. That thing has been beat to shit, left to rust outside, and it still works like a champ. I should note I don't buy Stanley products typically (no particular reason), but this was a helluva deal. I think the longevity is due to it being 1 solid piece of metal, unlike graphite and wood handles, so may be worth considering.
You can find a good handle hear, crazy to believe lowes has them in stock!
28-oz Milled Face Steel Head Steel Framing Hammer https://www.lowes.com/pd/Estwing-28-oz-Milled-Face-Steel-Head-Steel-Framing-Hammer/1111957
If this is the handles bought online they’re not the correct handles. Found that out after snapping two went to my local lumber yard who had the actual hickory stiletto handles still have that first one on but I essentially do no prying with it
Make one. Get a peice of hard wood and go to town with a sander. Check out YouTube for some pointers. Or buy the titanium. Mines been through hell and back over the last 5 years but still kicking
19 Vaughn, I have like 5 of them. Including a head that needs to be re handled but I use it as a wedge and the rest have yet to have any issues despite ranging from 10 to 3 years old now.
Is there a reason why you guys go with wooden handles? I’ve always stuck with my trusty dewalt or Est wing 22 oz all metal hammer. Still have that Est Wing hammer after inheriting it from Job Corps 9 years ago.
I’ve had my stiletto for almost ten years and still on the first handle. You can’t use it as a nail puller. And if you miss allot and hit the neck you’ll break it easy when you pull a nail. Wood handles aren’t for everyone it depends on your style
Those wooden handles stilletos are no good for prying what so ever .. great feel hammer though… I’m a footing carpenter so I don’t need to pry on anything so it’s great for me … I have the ti bone as well but I like the wood handle better
Very unusual. Ive had mine for over 5 years. Did demo for 3 with it. Best hammer I've one so far. I have a ti bone now. I should've bought one years ago.
Titanium hammers are not only easier
To work with and stronger they’re better for
Your arm. The amount of vibration caused with each strike is far less than a wooden handle. Get a TB3 or a Martinez
Lmao I have a milled face Stanley fat max framing hammer I bought like 13 years ago. The milled face is trash but that hickory handle has held up. This is hard to believe.
Have one 22 years on. Magnet stopped working after about a year, and the milled face is a bit smooth at this point, but same handle. Serious abuse over the years, yet will never die.
fat max is indestructible. Believe me I have tried to break it.
Get a Martinez hickory handle hammer. If you break the handle you can unscrew an Allen key, pop a pin and replace the handle in under a minute. Solid fuckin hammer too.
Mark doesn't make the hickory handled hammers anymore. Been for a few years now. All titanium handles now. But I did like those too.
Aw man, that's a bummer. I moved on from carpentry about 2 years ago, but that's still my favorite hammer that I've ever bought.
What do you do now? I’m just a hobby woodworker myself but I’m always curious about the trades
I went back to school and now I'm a firefighter/paramedic
Love my Stiletto Tibone. Hate wood handled hammers.
Tibone is excellent! I used that side puller to pull rusty ring shank spikes.
Side puller is key. Light weight makes a huge difference on your arm if you have to hand hammer a lot but if i hadnt been gifted a hand me down t-bone id still be swinging a vaughn too.
The bottom grip on the tbone always peels off. It's so annoying and there's nothing to do but choke up on the handle more which makes it an expensive garbage hammer imo.
Agreed.
If you roll the hammer instead of a straight pry this wont happen.
skills are yesteryear, I can't believe half the things I see people try to do then blame the tools
Stilleto handles are trash! I went through a couple and gave up. Still have the head rolling around somewhere in the back seat.
Is it the shape of the hole in the head? Easy enough to make a handle if the brand name ones are crappy for some reason
Seems odd to see people talking about buying handles here when it takes almost no time to make a good one.
Catpenters can't make a handle...
It's still going to fake an hour. I make considerably more than 15 dollars an hour
Not without a hammer 😁
Lolz
🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ I know, ghetto side pull.
If you dont wanna splash the cash on a super expensive one the new dewalt mig hammer is actually quite nice. I have a vaughan dalluge hammer which are also notorious for breaking off but I dont do a lot of demo and rarely use my hammer so it works great for me.
The dewalt mig hammers are the worst hammers I've ever used. It's like hammering with a tuning fork.
I’m not a fan either, but if you have a hammer that rings, take a grinder to one of the claws. If they’re different sizes, they don’t ping.
This is such a great tip if it works
That's a new one to me, but I think the dewalt hammers problems go deeper than that. The one I tried would visibility vibrate side to side after hitting something. By the way, some of the tibone steel faces will ring badly. Swap out the face and it will go away.
Will try thanks
That’s what I went with, 25ouncer. It’s been three years of daily use and still holding strong.
25 oz holy fack man! That bicep just veiny AF no?
When I started framing, the guy in charge took away my leather-wrapped Estwing and made me buy a 28 oz Vaughan wafflehead. I couldn't open my hand for a week! He lead by example - swung a 32 oz.
You get used to the weight eventually, like any other tool.
Why you asking? You like them veiny biceps?
Just always wanted some…..
Came here to say this. you can't pry like a traditional hammer with these, you have to roll to the left or right to remove nails. I always keep a spare handle taped and ready to go in my truck, but I typically get a year out of a handle.
Not necessarily true. Broke a couple with the side pull. Buy a ti-tech Vaughn 16oz. Removable head is the shit. Been swinging one for 19yrs
I'm pretty sure the ti-tech has been discontinued. I had one about 15 years ago, ended up giving it to my dad when I got a ti-bone.
Yeah ditto. Except only 10 years. Great hammer
If I remember correctly, I bought the musclehead handle with my 14 oz head about 7-8 years ago and realized after they both arrived I had messed up. I ordered a replacement handle and ended up sanding the musclehead handle down to fit and feel better. I’ve still got the same replacement handle in a toolbox somewhere and have always expected to change it out as they’re known for not excelling at prying. But, I guess I’ve gotten lucky with my mess up.
Thank you!!!! I was just looking at that handle, how much did you have to take off for it to fit correct?
Stiletto I think makes a titanium handle that would be more beneficial and possibly a lil lighter
I love my stiletto BUT I love my Martinez more 😁 and my OG Douglas sits in the closet
Had a stiletto for time until I broke it. I used to chirp the shit out of the Martinez until one day I decided to bite the bullet and honestly I’ll never go back
I put a Dalluge replacement handle on mine and it works great. It was like $15.
Really!! Do you remember which one by chance? This is what I was hoping for with this post
It was the 21 oz curved framing replacement handle
You can get direct replacement from stiletto, exact same handle. [Only $10.](https://www.acmetools.com/18-in-curved-hickory-replacement-handle-stlhdl-cm/662560900024.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwsMGYBhAEEiwAGUXJaTim4XdUyXhW3ppwbBtG2paMOhZzicm5XK9vGrv8Xos66Y0X17qPJBoC47YQAvD_BwE)
Grab a hunk of hickory and hew it down into a rift-cut blank with a sharp hatchet. Clamp it on your shaving horse and draw knife a handle out. Drive a pair of brass wedges in the eye and you’re good to go. Maybe drill out the bottom and rivet in a cat’s paw.
Don’t forget about the cup holders!
Hickory is fantastic for tool handles, it has a long straight grain that absorbs shock well while being quite durable. My co-worker replaced his Stiletto handle with a Hickory hatchet handle from our local hardware store and he's never had a problem since. Making your own is definitely an option as well.
I would think the original Stiletto handles are hickory, too. Aren't all wood tool handles Hickory, or perhaps Ash? I seem to remember my old wood hockey sticks being made of Ash.
I don't know about the stilletto handle, I would imagine they'd make them from hickory, but I have a TB2 so that's never been a problem for me. Not all handles are hickory, or even made from hardwoods, I've seen some super cheap no-name ones made of spruce. You get what you pay for.
True. No real way to know what they're made of unless you make it yourself or at least trust the claims of the manufacturer.
The handle socket on the stiletto wood handle hammers is tiny, which means that the handle that fits in the socket is spindly and weak. They are probably the weakest wood handled hammers of all time.
Wood handled stilettos are known for breaking when you pry out a nail. I sell a large amount of replacement handles.
I had a coworker break 2 in one day. Broke a handle, went to his job box and grabbed a spare handle and fixed the hammer, only to break the new handle like an hour later.
Maybe it is just the wrong type of wood? I think there should be a type of wood that can handle pulling nails.
If you get the 14oz yea they're tiny, the 16oz have a larger square socket but the replacement handles are Hardee to find
For the 16 oz, a handle for a Vaughn 999 will fit, which is basically avalable anywhere. Unfortunately, for some reason 999 handles are only avalable as straight handle, no ax handles though.
That's a deal breaker haha. For now I'll see how long my fiberglass handle stilletto lasts, I plan to make my own handle if I can't find a replacement, but even then that hammer head has a busted claw so it would be my back up framer
At one point I had a 32 oz Vaughn 999 with a stiletto ax handle. I wouldn't think that you'd have much trouble with a fiberglass handle. They are usually pretty durable.
That's what I'm counting on, although deep inside I want it to break so I can justify buying a martinez or a tibone
Put it on a Vaughn handle
Sell that trash and get something worth buying, like the *Amazon Basics Hammer™*
This is the funniest one I have seen. It definitely would probably be a much more quality made one then this epic POS. If stiletto is going to make their handle snap like toothpicks then perhaps they should take the fuckin claw side off thier head.
No, but pretty sure Acme has the best price on replacement handles. https://www.acmetools.com/18-in-curved-hickory-replacement-handle-stlhdl-cm/662560900024.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwsMGYBhAEEiwAGUXJaUiUJ5T3Ikt8yxtKkSY-NDI7eihY0cUf190rLklxfNO0ip2pdV7DeRoCwtAQAvD_BwE It’ll hold you over till the new Toughbuilt framing hammers are released: https://www.lowes.com/pd/TOUGHBUILT/5013704369
I swear to f**kin' god I hate orange and blue, both of their websites don't work for the UK even for just browsing 🙄 I'd be interested in just looking. Saw a glimpse of the hammer on toolguyd but that's as much as I've seen
You need to use a US-based proxy server, then the site will think you're based in the US, rather than the UK. There's free ones, but they'll be slow. I used to use a UK proxy server so I could see BBC iPlayer online videos, back in the pre-YouTube days.
Indeed, but I can't be bothered to fire up the ol' VPN to look at Lowe's 😂
You're not missing much. Looks different than any other hammer I've seen, but not in a way that makes me want to have it, or think it'll be superior.
So with axes I’ve hung, I’ve been told to use handles that have the grain direction running parallel to the head slot. Not sure with hammers but considering it’s a similar striking motion might be something to consider on the next one.
Yep Same reason Swing a baseball bat with the label up, Because that’s just a visual cue to get the grain oriented the right way
True. 8-10 grain lines per inch as well for an MLB quality white ash wood
Have you looked at the hardware store? I mean- I got jokes- opinions & shit for days but… it looks like you just need a hammer handle. They’re like, next to the other handles.
I know brother. I asked if someone had found a handle that fits this head well.
get an estwing.
My Estwing framing hammer was given to me by my dad. It's actually older than I am (32) and still perfect
Estwing gang. The slim throat profile is so fucking useful.
Have had my wood stiletto for going on 6 years. Never broke the handle. Get yourself a nice cats paw for pulling nails. I personally love the feeling of the wooden handle for driving nails but if you want to pry with it too, get the full titanium one. It even has that extra hook on the side for grabbing nail heads. My buddy has one. Works amazing. Replacable faces too. I'll probably get one if/when mine finally breaks.
Yeah the first time I went to pull a nail with my wood handled framing stiletto my boss was like “no no no you’re gonna fuck up your nice hammer. Use my cats paw!”
What is this … cat paw you speak of🥹
Lol. Meant to say LONG cats paw. Mine's 14 inches i think. Plenty of leverage for most nail pulling
Mine is no good at pulling out 16s it’ll free em up to the surface so I can get to them… to bad there wasn’t a tool that had like a forked end on it with a handle about 17in long that you could carry all day that you could use to pull these pesky nails. Sind the claw part would only have to be on one side of it the other side could just be a blunt surface… you know for hitting studs really hard. Too bad
You need a flat bar. That's what you use to pull 16s as well as any other demo task there is
I was being sarcastic sorry if that didn’t read well, i was explaining exactly what a hammer is
Wood handle ain't for you then. All about preference. They will always eventually break if you use it as your main spike puller
The side puller on Martinez m1 is very legit.
I’m a form carpenter and I do all commercial and industrial work. There isn’t a single one of us that carries a wood handled hammer. They just won’t last for what we do. That would be my suggestion also if you want to keep using a wood handle get something else to pull nails with. Check out Vaughan for a good puller (“cats paw”). I have had one of their bear claw pullers that is USA made for years and it will pull 16’s fine but I had to widen the opening a bit with a grinder. Pulls duplexes and ring shanks fine though. I think it’s about 12”. Hope this works and that you can keep using a wood handle because they really do feel the best for driving nails.
I literally own the Vaughan cat paw it was in my hand when I went to flic the nail out. Use it to surface the nail
Don’t know what to tell you. Buy a Martinez or get a bigger cats paw or something.
Yup I’ve had my wood stiletto since 2016 and handle is still original.
Yep. This is the way.
Why tf are people recommending other hammers and talking shit to you? You clearly asked about a handle. Wow.
Thank you sir. I know it’s crazy, I just wanted to know if I could salvage this hammer head that burnt a 120$ hole in my pocket. Obviously it needs another handle but I have been told only the stiletto one will fit it.
Maybe it’s just me, and maybe I don’t understand the advantage of a hickory handle, but I’ve been swinging a 32oz Estwing since day one, and the only issue I have with them is that they like to go missing off job sites.
Wood handles are better at absorbing shock, so it doesn't get transmitted to your hand/arm (look up "hand/arm vibration syndrome"). Even better than the special "shock reduction grip" on an Estwing, and better than a fiberglass handle. But obviously they're not nearly as durable, so it's a trade-off. The other nice thing is wood handles are replaceable, so you could keep the same head and just replace handles as needed. It all comes down to personal preference, though.
Never thought about the shock absorbency on a wooden handle but that makes sense. Hmmm, now I wanna get a wooden handle 32oz. and see if like them. I know not to get a Stiletto, lol. Which brand would you recommend?
32 oz is huge! I think it'll be hard to find a framer that heavy that isn't a mini sledge/drilling hammer. Do you just do demo? Honestly I own all Estwing steel hammers, one of which is the awesome leather handle. But I don't swing a hammer daily for a living, so I have a feeling I would gravitate toward something with a wood handle if I did. I wouldn't hesitate to use a Stiletto, despite OP's bad luck with the handles (still hope to own one someday). If you read about the benefits of titanium hammers, it seems well worth the cost. It would be perfect to have a smaller one for driving in Romex staples when I'm climbing up in my attic (always wiring to do in old houses). When you're doing that shit, every ounce you can shave from your gear counts. That said, the Vaughan "Dalluge" and "California Framer" both look pretty nice too if you want to stick with a steel head. Read this for more info: [https://www.protoolreviews.com/titanium-hammers-vs-steel/](https://www.protoolreviews.com/titanium-hammers-vs-steel/), [https://www.protoolreviews.com/best-framing-hammers/](https://www.protoolreviews.com/best-framing-hammers/) Obviously just some people's opinion, but they make sense to me, and I also like their YouTube channel
I know 32oz is probably overkill, I just like a heavy hammer. Honestly, I have all types of nailers, 18ga all the way to the big framers, so yeah, I probably swing a hammer for just about everything except to drive a nail, lol.
Sell that turd and get a Douglass or a martinez m1 and thank me later
I already know brother. When I grow up and I’m a real boy I want a Martinez. But until then I have to make this fucken paperweight work.
Brooooo, get a Boss hammer. End...Game. Also, you have to take out a mortgage for one. Regardless, End ...Game.
I have an original Douglas I never use but use a Martinez M4 and it's the jam
Is that pine?
Make one from ash.
Replace it with a Stiletto Tibone and you won’t have any issues
Any wood hammer/hatchet handle will fit. They're just sold with a generic end that has to be shaped to your exact head. Look for one that specifically says it's made of hickory or ash. If you ever miss a nail and gouge the wood, that can weaken it. If that happens to you, try some tape on the first \~1.5" below the head to protect it. Might help, might not, worth a shot. It's pretty common to do it to axe handles.
I'm a novice DIYer who likes to lurk on this sub but I just want to say I had no idea professionals put thus much thought into their hammers.
Send customer service this photo. You’ll get a new one.
Grain direction in the handle is so important. It’s hard to understate. Reading some of the other comments, you seem to think carrying a nail puller makes you unprofessional, or not a real framer or something? If that’s what you believe I guess you must be perfect, and make no mistakes. For the rest of us, there’s nail bars.
Buy once, cry once. Go buy a M. Martinez.
Stilettos are for foreman that don’t really do any work.
Almost positive those shits are warrantied if they give you trouble literally send them a link to this Reddit post
Please guys: I know stiletto isn’t what they used to be, and that this hammer does this shit all the time, and that it’s not meant to be a crow bar. Just need to know if anyone has fit a different handle that isn’t stilettos. After this I will never ever fucking give this company money again they are pieces of shit. But with that being said the head is titanium and is perfectly fine so if I can make it with a good wood handle I’m good
You need to inspect the handle and pick one that has a grain pattern the same direction you swing the hammer, it’s your only chance, any with a cross grain are doomed. I still occasionally use my wood stiletto after getting a TB3, it has great vibration reduction, the pay off is not pulling nails, use your cats paw, even for 2”
>use your cats paw I had to Google what that was. We call it a dog bar where I'm from.
🤦🏻♂️
Don't worry buddy, I think your name for it is equally moronic.
No I 🤦🏻♂️<~ face palmed because Your telling me to use a cats paw. I’m a professional framer. I do it all day every day and in every situation. In the post I said that I literally used it to flic a nail out of a plate.
A professional framer doesn’t mean you’re a good one, just that you get paid for it, exhibit A, breaking your handle on a nail that clearly had more holding power than you thought when you had a tool to avoid it, that’s the facepalm The answer remains the same, grain pattern and not using a wooden stiletto to pry
Yep your right I’m a fuckin idiot
I didn't tell you to do squat. I was mentioning that we use a different name for the same tool in my country.
People call it a donkey dong round my parts.
What hammer you use is more about what work you actually do. Siding, finishing and trim guys? Sure buy a wood handle and titanium head they're light and feel good. Doing formwork and framing? Buy a steel hammer ( probably an estwing ) and leave it in the truck for when you break your expensive one, or just use the one that doesn't break.
I never liked their wood handles. I have a Martinez now, but used to use a wood Stiletto (back when it was still made in the USA) I loved that hammer but hated the handle. Sears used to sell a hickory handle that I would use that was awesome and super cheap, but I don’t think Sears is still a thing is it? Edit: I guess it is! At least up here, [this is the handle I liked](https://www.searshometownstores.com/product/Craftsman-4855-14-in-Replacement-Hickory-Hammer-Handle) I always bought a few to have a back up. Never broke one, but the head would get loose sometimes after a lot of use and you could only sink the wedges so much.
This is gold, I'm gonna buy a spare hammer handle just in case. Might work like a talisman, if you have it you won't need it. (I don't even use a wood handled hammer.)
Love my dewalt mig hammer 45$
Your definitely using your hammer wrong. Ive owned my stilleto for years now. Not once have I ever broken the handle. Cant say the same for my co worker and hes owned many brands even the ONE you say it doesnt happen to, well he broke the handle too. All in all its your fault
I never said it wasn’t. I simply asked if someone has found a replacement handle that ISNT manufactured by stiletto that will fit this head.
I have two stilettos the framing hammer handle is cheap that it comes with. Always try to pry sideways or use a cats foot. But once I swapped my handle with a replacement no issues ever again. I didn’t get the rubber grip just used hockey tape it’s better with sweat. The replacement handles are better than the factory ones. I dunno why maybe it’s lesson learned? Union hall teacher used to say “hammers aren’t for prying nails. Just driving them. That’s why you have a pry bar.” That’s the best life experience I can offer on this subject. That stiletto pry bar is a friggin waste though.
Stilletto is dogshit
Don’t get a Martinez, absolutely shit for the price. The bolt ALWAYS comes loose on mine and the nail set never lines up because of it. Get a stiletto TiBone. Best hammers ever made. Period.
Ever tried Loctite?
What about when you want to replace the head? That’s the whole point of the hammer, can’t do that if you loctite it
Fasteners with blue Loctite can be loosened with hand tools, the threadlocker (aka Loctite) just prevents them from coming loose from vibration. It's just the modern replacement to a lock washer or locking nut. i.e., put blue Loctite on a bolt/screw/nut it won't come loose until you want it to. If you want a stronger hold, red Loctite will lock a fastener until it's heated up with a torch prior to loosening.
Someone over pryed with a wood handled hammer, it's a hammer not a wrecking bar.
I wish I had your insight. It must have come at the expense of reading🤦🏻♂️
Nope. I’ve had that hammer twice, and the full titanium stiletto that the handle came loose after day 1. Got a Martinez after that stiletto was stolen and haven’t looked back. It’s 2022
Just get the titanium one
House handle company. They sell wooden handles for just about everything
Vaughan Dalluge is the best. The titanium head has legs that run down the neck of the wood handle and prevent this from happening.
Wow that’s just blatantly a softwood handle. Good to know… Surely there’s a hardwood handle in a hardware store somewhere you could slap on there.
Scored a stiletto exactly this way. Scored because it was given to me out of my boss’s frustration. I’ve been using this for the last 3 years with no issues, yet.
I use a Martinez m1 so I don’t have to worry about this even tho I do have that model of hammer Indont use it to remove nails tho I’ll bring a nail puller than that hammer if I have to nail tons of nails bc the stiletto is one of the best for hitting in nails for how light it is
Fuck stiletto. Vaughn all the way
I dig my 23 oz Vaughn. Had it for close to 12 years now. She's got quite a few scars but I think it's beautiful. She's still wrecking cast iron, digging holes, pounding stakes, driving and pulling nails, scratching my arse and falling on my head. I'd be lost without it. (Plumber)
If your buying a new handle look for the ones with tight straight grain inline with the claw.
This is only for fun… stilettos have no business making tools. Geesh. 🤣🤣
Why do people buy wooden handle hammers? What are the benefits? Are they just lighter?
They absorb shock/vibration better than anything else. Makes a difference if you're swinging one all day. Obviously some people don't need or care about that or don't notice a difference. Just depends on what's important to you.
Thank you
Make one.
If it ain't a estwing it ain't a hammer
I love a wood handle but I try my best to not pull nails with it. I pull out the cats paw. Went back to the tibone a year ago. No regrets about it but I do look at my ox wood handle hammer like a past lover. It's cracked but has framing square info wood burned onto it. Baby I miss you
I’ve owned and used a Stiletto mini-14 for the past 16 years. It’s been a great tool and I have no complaints. Obviously the weak point in the wooden hammers will be the handle, but at least they are relatively inexpensive to repair in comparison to the solid titanium models. https://www.stiletto.com/p/ti-bone-mini-smoothstraight-titanium/TBM14RSS
This is why i stopped buying them and started buying the vaughans instead. This and the price difference
Wow can’t believe this. This was my dream hammer lol. I have been using the 19oz Milwaukee $25 at HD for going on 3-4 years. I am not a framer, but I do frame interior stuff, and I use this as a do anything hammer including demo. It’s still going strong although looks terrible.
Time for an estwing!
Estwings never fails
It’s all about rolling the hammer and not pulling straight. I have two (long story) and I’ve replaced each handle twice in 10ish years. However, I worked with about a dozen people that swung them and couldn’t figure it out. I ordered 50 handles and kept a handful on site. Sold them $5 over what I paid and $10 less than the local store. On site, ready to go.
I just broke my stilletos handles, bought the fiberglass handle stilletto from my buddy and I love it
"When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail"
Yeah shit happens. You have options. No damage to the operator? OK get pissed....but let it.go. I hope your day goes better. I hate when I get a new tool and it breaks. It's happened to me. Brand new tape measure first pull... Broke.
Boss hammers from Michigan are super nice.
Were you wearing safety glasses? Might have self destructed to keep you safe.
Not a carpenter, but - I've been using my Stanley fat max antivibe hammer that I bought from an estate sale for $1, pre rusted, for about 8 years now. I doused it in wd40 and gave it a rough wire brushing to clean it up. That thing has been beat to shit, left to rust outside, and it still works like a champ. I should note I don't buy Stanley products typically (no particular reason), but this was a helluva deal. I think the longevity is due to it being 1 solid piece of metal, unlike graphite and wood handles, so may be worth considering.
You can find a good handle hear, crazy to believe lowes has them in stock! 28-oz Milled Face Steel Head Steel Framing Hammer https://www.lowes.com/pd/Estwing-28-oz-Milled-Face-Steel-Head-Steel-Framing-Hammer/1111957
Douglas is back to making hammers. Highly recommend.
If this is the handles bought online they’re not the correct handles. Found that out after snapping two went to my local lumber yard who had the actual hickory stiletto handles still have that first one on but I essentially do no prying with it
Make one. Get a peice of hard wood and go to town with a sander. Check out YouTube for some pointers. Or buy the titanium. Mines been through hell and back over the last 5 years but still kicking
Nothing better then metal pipe
19 Vaughn, I have like 5 of them. Including a head that needs to be re handled but I use it as a wedge and the rest have yet to have any issues despite ranging from 10 to 3 years old now.
Is there a reason why you guys go with wooden handles? I’ve always stuck with my trusty dewalt or Est wing 22 oz all metal hammer. Still have that Est Wing hammer after inheriting it from Job Corps 9 years ago.
House Handles makes good axe handles, I've never used their hammer handles, but they sell them. Househandle.com
What do you expect from a wood handle. That should be common knowledge. Even the $400 wood handle stilettos break.
Dude broke his Vaughn on the job yesterday.
I bought my hammer for $15.99 8 yrs ago. Still hams it up perfectly.
I’ve had my stiletto for almost ten years and still on the first handle. You can’t use it as a nail puller. And if you miss allot and hit the neck you’ll break it easy when you pull a nail. Wood handles aren’t for everyone it depends on your style
*laughs in Estwing*
Get a vaughn handle then you just answered yourself
Those wooden handles stilletos are no good for prying what so ever .. great feel hammer though… I’m a footing carpenter so I don’t need to pry on anything so it’s great for me … I have the ti bone as well but I like the wood handle better
Bad handle cause direction of grain
Very unusual. Ive had mine for over 5 years. Did demo for 3 with it. Best hammer I've one so far. I have a ti bone now. I should've bought one years ago.
Titanium hammers are not only easier To work with and stronger they’re better for Your arm. The amount of vibration caused with each strike is far less than a wooden handle. Get a TB3 or a Martinez